OAP winter fuel payments.

[Workingman]

Many of us do not need it. I know that I don't, not every year anyway. However, there is no opt-out nor any (easy) way to give it back. I tried.

I am all for it, in principle, but it should be means tested. I would prefer that really needy pensioners get a bit more rather than everyone getting something.

Millionaires qualify: that's wrong, IMHO.

[Kaz]

It should definitely be means tested. We won't need it, I would far rather a struggling young family got ours. D gets it, she certainly doesn't need it either!

[cromwell]

I would rather we weren't (deliberately, imo) being ripped off with the price of energy.

[cruiser2]

Why is part of the standing charge being used to pay the debts of failed energy companies. Other companies like Wilko willnot get any help so why energy companies?

The shareholders should bear the cost.

[victor]

Many of us do not need it. I know that I don't, not every year anyway. However, there is no opt-out nor any (easy) way to give it back. I tried.

I am all for it, in principle, but it should be means tested. I would prefer that really needy pensioners get a bit more rather than everyone getting something.

Millionaires qualify: that's wrong, IMHO.

Quite agree WM,but it cant be too hard to find a family that need help.
We have a "trash shop" ,it sells food donated by supermarkets but it is possible to go in and buy a box which is then given to who needs it

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[TheOstrich]

Whilst I take your point that many state pensioners don't "need" the Winter Fuel Allowance (WM / Kaz), I'd be very concerned that any move to means test them would be the thin end of a very large wedge .......

[Workingman]

Ossie, with today's financial technology the government knows how much dosh you have - except for the readies you put under the mattress. It should not be too difficult to say that if you have more than £xxx you don't qualify.

However, I do have to say that the minimum level would have to be what any of us would see as 'reasonable' to cover a rainy day and not just a few thousand pounds.